Friday, April 20, 2012

Faithful in the Small Things

"Felicity, put on your shoes!"

While Mommy flopped around the house like a headless chicken trying to get everyone out the door for a day of shopping, five year old Felicity was outside, entranced with nature-- as usual. If it isn't the bugs and the butterflies, it's slugs, turtles, or honeybees. Yesterday it was the tiny purple flowers that grow in the yard.

"Issy, your shoes!" This from the doorstep. No acknowledgement from the field. In a hurry, I turned away and began brushing little sister's hair. Then Felicity walked through the door with a bright smile on her face, holding a sweet bouquet of delicate purple flowers.

But Mama wasn't happy because Felicity was still barefoot. "Issy, I don't want your flowers. I want your obedience!"

Even as I uttered the words, I regretted them. Mostly I regretted the harshness of my tone. And watching her sweet smile dissolve instantly was like a knife-wound to the heart.

Sinking to my knees in front of her, I explained softly, "I'm sorry, Issy. I didn't mean it like that. I do want your flowers. They are very beautiful. But I want your obedience first. Put on your shoes and then you can pick the prettiest bouquet ever!"

Instantly the smile returned. And I have never seen a child don shoes so quickly!

For the rest of the day I pondered this. How many times am I just like Felicity? I want to do something to please the Lord, but I'm not honoring Him in the small things to which He has called me. I struggle with the menial tasks of housekeeping, homeschooling, and child training; yet rush off to please Him with "big" projects. When will I learn to be faithful in the small things?

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10

1 comment:

Ouch! That got me. It feels sometimes like obedience is in a tug of war between the Romans 7 and Romans 8 parts of me. It is great to know though - and experience the love nature of God that causes us to flow more in obedience. As one minister described it, the scripture "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" is a promise, not a threat!

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The Excellent Wife

A True Mother...

A true mother is one of the holiest secrets of home happiness. God sends many beautiful things to this world, many noble gifts; but no blessing is richer than that which He bestows in a mother who has learned love's lessons well, and has realized something of the meaning of her sacred calling. ~ J.R. Miller